JA Trondson

So, ive been out of it for some time, haven't REALLY played anything in a while. Sure I count writing some things here and there as progress or "playing" but it really has been a chore. And as the current equipment situation is practically non-existent, writing and going into detail while making compositions it hard enough to make me question if it's "worth while". Everything I have written in the past few years has been either sombre or metal (or sombre metal.) I recently got an old violin fixed, that I used to love playing, and started to play from memory some old tunes. Horrible, they were too fast, not anything that at the time I wrote them I would have called "particularly challenging". So, again, I became a bit dismayed. I first started with recording/arranging music when I was 15 on a Yamaha sy77. I took video game music from memory or recorded to a cassette and played it on headphones while programming it in one note at a time. That gave me some structure with which to diffuse some of the music I had in my head, and a way to play it all at once. I could program a whole backing band and play violin over it, and later, guitar. Recently I was messaged by Michael Amaron and went to check out his soundcloud. While not particularly my "style" of music, I did enjoy it, and I was inspired by what sounded like pure enjoyment in writing and playing. I have a problem with writing most of my recent music as my very young son doesn't much like anything 'sad' sounding, so I started playing some old Irish tunes while in the family room with him, and then went back to thinking about recording. I talked to some friends and mentioned that I wanted to start from scratch again, relearn some lost technique and just do something to track my progress. Immediately someone suggested that I do some video game music with a midi programmer, and play over it. But that quickly turned into a "heck with how it sounds just do something" idea. So, I put out the question to some friends "what video game music do you want to hear done with only violin"? The suggestions came flowing in. I am fully aware of how ridiculous it is, but it's pretty much where I started, and it has been a good while since I've derived as much enjoyment out of figuring things out and just practicing the same things over and over again. All while learning new recording programs. So a thanks to Mr. Amaron, and to everyone here. don't get your hopes up: https://soundcloud.com/japstrings -j

I've wondered this very thing about people I've known and worked with in the past. It always seemed like they were attempting to pay for the equipment they bought to professionally record themselves, and recording other artists in the mean time to do so (which consumed all of their time). Not that I'm assuming this is your exact situation, but whenever the topic would come up on what someone was working on currently, the ones who were in this boat seemed to always shy away from conversation. And this gives me a bit of perspective too, as far as what I need to concentrate on. Great post, and it takes some strength to become introspective enough to change one's approach. -J

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? yes yes and yes What instruments? many... I DONT play the accordion or hammer dulcimer, but would very much like to. When did you start playing? when I was 2 years old, started Suzuki method violin Did you teach yourself? Other than violin, yes 2. Are you in a band or bands? not currently What is the name of the band? What do you play? What other instruments are in the band? Do you have a band website? 3. Do you write songs? yes Do you write lyrics, music or both? both, though lyrics only for certain genres... Do you have a writing partner? I have had, but currently, no 4. Do you record your music? yes Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? I wouldn't call it a studio, though maybe in the 40's it would have counted as one. I use old cheap gear I have either found being thrown out in semi working condition or just old stuff. Do you use a recording studio? I have had and will be again soon Do you have music available on the web? if so where? yes... be warned before you listen, either very old stuff and/or recorded on my subpar equipment, not for everyone soundcloud.com/j-trondson 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Currently have removed myself professionally from the music business Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? was in Promotion and Performance 6. Are you a tech head? yes, my gear is a tribute to that 7. What country do you live in? usa 8. What are your ambitions? Teach my son to play and enjoy music as much as I do, Get back to being as prolific as I used to be, Rebuild my gear, and otherwise just make a lot of music. 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? I write a lot, fiction What are your pastimes? writing, hiking, farming, wine making, cooking, finding new music, collecting instruments fixing them too, general tinkering, anything I can do with my wife and son. 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? Collaboration, Inspiration, constructive criticism, interesting conversation I think that covers the main musical things! So do I